Help with narrowing down speaker choice

Thanks Pubul 57, but the price must of changed, as these are now at least $11,500.

Thanks Tish. I'm going to the show in Montreal but they have not published the Dealer or Brand list yet.

One of the things that I would like to avoid are speaker recommendations that are above 35 Hz. There are some incredible sounding mini and small monitors out there, I know, but I want those benefits plus deep, detailed, controlled, and natural bass in one package.

Thanks Charles1dad

I'll look into the Tonians.

Regarding amps, simpler is better when it's smarter. Simple is hard to do right.

Thanks Pops, it always comes down to the space.

With limited resources, or not, I cannot expect to do it all in my room. There is that inevitable limitation, but I want to try to do my best.

I've also visited and revisited the more singular path of more organic choices such as the Auditorium 23's Stellavox and Shindo amps. However, that approach suggests a different type of limitation, as natural as it may be in what it does exceedingly well. I think Audio Notes, or a speaker like the Audiokinises’ Dream Maker would suit me better if it weren't for the placement issues that I’ve got. A custom job from KCS is really enticing, but I must evaluate the leap-of-faith element.

I've also considered open baffle types with real focus on the Bastanis speakers. These are also designed primarily for SET amplification. However, to make them go low you add their self-powered subwoofers. I don't want add-on woofers, unless my existing amp can be set up to drive the entire package.

For these reasons, I’ve listed the three different speakers in the beginning of this thread. They seem to fit my room, my amp, the music I listen to, and my budget. From what I’ve heard or read, these speakers also outperform my Thiels in all or most areas. The other thing I like is that they’re accessible, meaning, I can actually touch them and listen to them. Of course, that in itself requires effort and patience.

I am open to other suggestions, but I wanted to explain my situation and mindset. I would also like to hear from those of you who like the speakers that I’m considering and why. Or, why you don’t like them.

Thanks guys.

David - I checked out the Daedalus at RMAF 2010 because they were a contender and are still a possibility. I need to hear them again under different circumstances. They sounded different on Saturday than they did on Sunday. I liked them on Sunday, but they were lacking in bass, IMO. This was an ailment shared by most of those smaller hallway rooms, IMO. Anyway, they're in the back of my mind like some others.

Elevick - I have a unique custom amp that plays my Thiels to my fairly loud and normal listening level, with the volume control set at Noon. I have plenty of headroom to crank it up further. This amp transformed my Thiels to new levels from what I had before. I can only imagine, what this amp would sound like on better speakers with better synergy.

Thanks, Mapman.

That's the second Tonian recommendation, so on the list they go.

Well, as quick as they went on, I need to take the Tonians off my list. The dealer quoted me $12,500 which is way over my $10K ceiling.